– look. I’d definitely go a size up in the jeans if this is the case: you wouldn’t believe how much more flattering they can turn out to be.
And don’t be put off by magazine articles that say a certain shape is not for you. If you like skinnies, wear them – you’ll soon find your own ways of making them work; whether it’s by wearing heels to add height, or pairing them with a jacket length that covers your bum and hips. Just do what I do: try, try, and keep trying until you find a pair that makes you feel good.
Style Tip
It’s always worth remembering that department stores offer alteration services, so ask to have your jeans altered to fit when you buy them.
3 How do I get the length right?
I think that one of the most important things to get right with jeans is the length. Most of us wear high-heeled shoes with jeans now, and if your jeans are just a tiny bit short it can have a major effect on the rest of your look: if you’re tall, it can make you look gangly, and if you’re shorter, it can make you look stumpy.
So when you’re wearing classic straight or bootcut shapes, you don’t really want to see too much of the heel of your shoe. This is when taking a pair of heels with you when you go shopping is really helpful, but also take a couple of pins, too, to help you get the right length and see if the leg shape is right for you. I’ll spend ages getting the hem right: I like to wear my jeans with the back of the hem just a millimetre or two off the ground – almost skimming the ground but not quite.
I apply the same rule if I’m wearing flats, too. Skinnies don’t look so bad with the hem ruched up at the bottom and worn with some flats (even though my brother says I look like a stump like that).
4 Mix and match
I think it’s a really good idea to have different pairs of jeans for different occasions: I’ll wear some pairs going to my mum’s for Sunday lunch, or for going out shopping; or I’ll dress others up with a nice top if I’m meeting my mates for a drink at night. I keep my ‘going out’ jeans for night-time only, because if I don’t wear them that often, the colour doesn’t fade and they always look smart. I’ve also got pairs with hems a little bit longer for wearing with heels or wedges and others that are hemmed just right for wearing with flats.
If you’re lucky enough to have found some jeans that do it all for you, I’d be tempted to buy a few pairs of the same style in different colours. I found a pair of dark blue J Brand ones that I liked, so I went back and bought the black ones and I also ended up getting them in a lighter blue, too. They’ve all got a different look and I can dress them up or down to suit wherever I’m going, but because I always feel great in them, at least if they decide not to do the same jeans next season, I’m sorted with my favourite fit.
Blouse, Boohoo.com.
Polka-dot tops always look great with jeans.
Style Tip
Department stores tend to have a good selection of designer or top denim brand styles, but if your nearest one doesn’t, go online. (See my Real Style File on page 265 for the best sites for up-to-the-minute styles.)
5 Is it worth splashing out on expensive jeans?
I do wear a lot of high-street-brand jeans – Topshop skinny blacks are a great fit and they do some great bootcut ones in dark denim – but I also have pairs in my wardrobe that I have spent a little bit more on. I know that some jeans are a ridiculous price now, and I wouldn’t recommend that anyone run out and buy them at the drop of a hat, but if you are really into your jeans and you can afford to splash out occasionally, go for a quality or a designer pair. These jeans have more structure and will fit your body better, which means you’ll feel amazing in them. Plus they should wash well and will last you.
Jeans, high heels and a pretty blouse make one of my all-time favourite outfits.
So, just occasionally, I’d say it’s worth investing in the best. The brands I would look out for are 18th Amendment, J Brand, Sass & Bide, Made in Heaven (MiH) and True Religion. Then there is 7 For All Mankind, which do some of the most flattering bootcuts around. shoes, Christian Louboutin.
Top, Marlene Birger; jeans, Earnest Sewn; shoes, Christian Louboutin.
Style Tip
Take a chance: try a style that you wouldn’t normally go for – you might be pleasantly surprised at how much different styles suit you.
Jeans: the style lowdown
Here’s my round-up of some of the key denim styles around at the moment. Read on and find the best pair for you!
STRAIGHT
Because of their straight-up-and-down classic shape, I’d say this cut is a good bet for anyone who likes a slim-leg look but who feels that skinny jeans are too edgy for them.
A good fit for: most shapes – try different labels and brands to see which suit you best. Straights make legs look longer, but only if the hem length is right.
Wear with: high, square heels or wedges, a great tan and a brown leather belt.
Brands to try: Zara, Gap, UNIQLO, Chloé, Howies, Diesel, Wrangler.
SKINNY
I love the skinny jeans look, especially ones with zips on the sides. Stella McCartney does them, and I think they are very good for people like me who have short legs. My skinny Balenciaga ones are so fine that I can wear them almost like leggings – tucked easily into boots in winter or with a big white shirt on top in warmer months. They are just the right length for wearing with a flat shoe, reaching slightly above the ankle. I like them because they’re a little dressier than normal jeans.
Jeans, Republic.
A good fit for: those who want to draw attention to their legs or make their legs look longer. But again, try different top combinations to make sure that they fit in with your style.
Wear with: a blouse or a floaty top can look great with skinnies. Ballet pumps or flats work for day – although they can cut you off a bit if you’re short like me, in which case wear them with wedges or high-heeled sandals. At night, wear high, high heels for a super-glam – and super-leggy – look.
Brands to try: Miss Sixty, Topshop, Juicy Couture, J Brand, New Look, Diesel, Sass & Bide, Superfine.
BOYFRIEND
